George Michael to write autobiography

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

LONDON (Reuters) - Pop star George Michael will write a no-holds-barred biography to appear in autumn 2009 after signing what HarperCollins called “one of the biggest book deals ever concluded in UK publishing.”

George Michael reads a statement to the media as he leaves Brent Magistrates Court in London June 8, 2007. Michael will write a no-holds-barred biography to appear in autumn 2009 after signing what HarperCollins called "one of the biggest book deals ever concluded in UK publishing." REUTERS/James Boardman

The deal was agreed by Belinda Budge, managing director and publisher of Harper NonFiction UK, and Michael’s manager Andy Stephens and his book agency.

“It is one of the hottest remaining untold celebrity memoirs,” said HarperCollins, a unit of News Corp., in a statement.

Michael’s publicist would not disclose the value of the deal, while HarperCollins’ spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.

“George has promised HarperCollins a no-holds-barred biography, and it’s certain to be just that,” Stephens said.

“People aren’t stupid. They’re beginning to notice that the truth is more interesting than the stories the press come up with!”

Michael, 44, regularly features in the tabloid press. Last June he was banned from driving for two years and sentenced to 100 hours of community service after admitting driving when unfit due to drugs.

Michael, who has sold more than 80 million records with hits like “Careless Whisper” and “Faith,” infuriated mental health charities in 2006 by smoking cannabis during a television interview and saying “This stuff keeps me sane and happy.”

The former Wham! frontman also ended years of speculation about his sexuality by announcing he was gay after he was arrested in 1998 for engaging in a “lewd act” in a Los Angeles public toilet.